Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I've been moving in and out of Thailand for 11 years now. Most recently was about 2 years ago. I've moved to work in Qingdao, China and currently work in Kunming City, Yunnan province, dubbed "City of Eternal Spring".

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

Overall I worked about 7 years in Thailand, at four different schools - two of them were for English programs at government schools and the other two were second tier international schools in Bangkok and Phuket.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

No reason, other than trying to work at different establishments and see different parts of the world, while also being on the lookout for better paying jobs.

Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?

Kunming is truly the City of Eternal Spring. It never gets too hot or too cold here. True, there were moments last December when even the heater didn't seem to help, but that was an anomaly. Temperature usually rises to 18-20 degrees during the daytime in winter and goes down to 0-5 degrees during night-time.

The salaries are higher but one has to be certified to get true benefits like 12-month contracts and bonuses at the end of each year.

I am currently on a 10-month contract but the salary is still higher than when I was working at international schools in Thailand. Also, pollution-wise, it's a real winner, especially when compared to other Chinese cities, that are full of smog/dust/coal emitting factories, cars, etc...

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

Kunming is only 2 hours away from Thailand, so I really don't miss that much of the country, since I travel extensively there during my holiday time. We get the whole of February off and so the numerous Thailand beaches await!

Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?

Interesting dilemma. I would dub my current city as " Chiang Mai on Steroids". There are 10 million people living in Kunming and it continues to grow. A subway line has been introduced a few years ago and there are another five lines in the works, projected to be completed by 2020. Still, the city has that envious feeling of being essentially a "big city village".

If you are a new teacher, by all means try Thailand first, but also try to work in Yunnan, China. It's nice and laid back there. And Chiang Mai is only an hour away by plane.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Sure, my girlfriend is from there, so obviously we spend our holidays together. Work-wise, not sure at the moment, but anything is possible.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Like many new teachers, I started at the basic 30,000 baht salary in Bangkok, and slowly moved towards the higher paying jobs by getting proper teaching qualifications. Do yourself a favor and get certified, and then the world will be your oyster.